Challenge rules in Tennis

Ever wondered what the guidelines are for the challenge when you're watching a match of professional tennis? Although chair umpires and line judges have long been used in professional tennis matches, modern technology has made it possible for players to use cameras to replay points and question rulings made by line judges. We'll dive into the challenge methods in this post to give you a thorough grasp of how these pivotal times transpire.

 The Hawk-Eye

"Hawk-eye" replay system uses a network of cameras to precisely follow a tennis ball's path across the court. These cameras take a succession of pictures, which computers process to create a three-dimensional picture of the ball's trajectory up until it hits the court. It's interesting to note that volleyball, rugby, and cricket all employ the same technology. But there is one noteworthy exception to its adoption: competitions held on clay courts, like the French Open. Chair umpires continue to rely on the marks that tennis balls leave on clay in the event that a player wishes to contest a call. However, the US Open has switched to automated line calling for every play, which has reduced  the need for line judges and changing the role of a chair umpire to managing the electronic system.

The Video Assistant Review (VAR) System

While not currently as prevalent as Hawk-eye, some tournaments, such as the ATP Cup, Next Gen Finals, and the US Open, have started utilizing a video assistant review system to help umpires make decisions when players challenge situations such as double bounces and balls hitting a player or the net. The umpire will receive a replay on a tablet, and the umpire can then confirm the original call, overturn it, or let the call stand if there isn’t enough evidence to overturn it.

The Limitations: Number of Challenges

In a match that incorporates replay technology, each player is granted three unsuccessful challenges per set, with an additional challenge if the set reaches a tie-breaker. If a player challenges a call and is successful, the player is not charged with a challenge. This means that, theoretically, a player could make an unlimited number of challenges as long as they are correct, but they can only make three unsuccessful challenges per set since they are charged with a challenge each time they are incorrect. Any unused challenges do not carry over into the next set.

In matches that utilize VAR, while line calls cannot be challenged since those tournaments also use Hawk-eye instead of line judges, players receive the same three unsuccessful challenges per set and an additional challenge if the set reaches a tie-breaker.

The Timing: When Challenges Can Be Made

A challenge can only be issued by players after play has halted. Challenges can only be made after play has paused, regardless of whether the point has ended or the player purposefully pauses play to contest a call. The chair umpire has the authority to reject a player's request to challenge if they wait an excessive amount of time.

The Verdict: Outcome of a Challenge

The decision made after the play is electronically examined is final and cannot be changed. The receiving player wins the point if the line judge first declared the shot to be "in," but Hawk-eye shows it was actually "out." On the other hand, the point is replayed if the line judge first declared the shot to be "out," but Hawk-eye evidence reveals it was actually "in." In that case, the player who hit the ball can be given the point if the chair umpire decides the shot was not returnable.

Conclusion

Hawk-eye has changed the game of tennis since its inception in 2006. Even in the last few years, the game has evolved to rely more and more on technology to reduce human error. Challenges add to the excitement and drama of a match, and the next time you witness a thrilling tennis match, you’ll be armed with a deeper understanding of how challenges work.

Written by Kate